PSG advance to Club World Cup knockouts as Group B winners

SEATTLE: European champions Paris St Germain secured their place in the knockout stage of the Club World Cup with a 2-0 win over hosts Seattle Sounders on Monday, topping Group B in the process.

After a surprising defeat to Botafogo in their previous outing, the Ligue 1 giants bounced back in style with goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi. The victory, combined with Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 triumph over Botafogo, ensured PSG finished first in the group with six points from three matches.

Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring in the 35th minute in unusual fashion—redirecting a wayward Vitinha strike into the net after a corner was only partially cleared. Hakimi sealed the result with a composed finish in the second half.

“It’s a happy day. It feels good,” said midfielder Joao Neves. “We are going to Atlanta and will try to impose our game no matter the opponent.”

Seattle Sounders, needing a three-goal win to stay alive in the tournament, were eliminated without a win in their home stadium. PSG will next face the runners-up from Group A in Atlanta on Sunday, while Botafogo, despite their earlier upset win, will meet the Group A winners on Saturday in Philadelphia.